Wedding Planning, Wedding Tips, Wedding Trends
How to Throw an Awesome Cocktail Wedding Reception
Oct
Cocktail wedding receptions are becoming popular with modern weddings and younger couples. Gone are the days where sit-down formal dinner parties are a must when it comes for wedding receptions. Modern-day newlyweds opt for fresher takes on the reception, which can be a simple cake-and-champagne party, a hearty brunch, or even an awesome cocktail reception.
Cocktail Wedding Reception Tips
More bride and grooms are opting for cocktail wedding receptions for so many different advantageous reasons. Not only will they get to save on the catering but cocktail parties aren’t as stressful plan compared to a 5-course dinner meal. At the same time, the laid-back and casual ambience of cocktail receptions gives the wedding guests more time to mingle and more time to party on the dancefloor.
With a cocktail reception, you still get to serve amazing food and refreshing drinks while the guests, in turn, still get to enjoy the company and the partying without sacrificing their comfort and your chic style. Here are some practical tips from Giftware Direct to help you plan your awesome cocktail wedding reception, carry on!
Give everybody a heads up.
With a single line in the invitations, your wedding guests should know that it is going to be a cocktail reception following the ceremony and they should also anticipate not having a full meal served for the rest of the evening. Let them know ahead so they can also dress appropriately because you would not want to be that lady in high heels who had to suffer long hours of standing and roaming around while working the room.
Create a cozy space with lots of room and lots of seating.
The beauty of cocktail receptions lies in its laid-back vibe so feature its easy-going ambience through picking a spacious venue with several spaces for sitting and mingling. Vary the seating arrangments to include high tables and barstools along with a couple of lounge seats perfect for small groups. Allow the guests to flow freely around the venue by spreading the different focal points such as the cake, the drink station, and even the bride and groom’s fancy corner. Don’t forget to leave an open space for the dance floor as well!
Keep the guests busy all night long.
Just because it is a cocktail party, it doesn’t mean that the guests are only to drink and lounge around all night long. Group lawn games can be rented for a more fun and enjoyable reception party. For activities on the more quieter side, having sheets of wedding mad libs, interactive wedding guest books, and video or photo booths can be set up across the spacious venue for guests to enjoy on their own time throughout the evening.
Set the mood and set the tone.
During a sit-down dinner, guests are seated as they partake in the meal which makes running a programme easier and smoother. However, for cocktail parties, a skilled MC or Master of Ceremonies can gather the crowd and hold their attention especially during the cake cutting, the toasts, the first dance, and other parts of an average reception party. Use music and lights to set the mood all throughout the evening and pace the night’s festivities.
Keep the food flowing.
Break the perception of the guests when it comes to cocktail parties always serving more drinks than food. Offer different food stations for the guests to be kept filled and happy during the entire evening. From grazing tables, dessert bars, and cheese trays, you can serve a wide variety of munchies perfect to match wines, beers, and cocktails. No one will go home hungry or have to stop by a nearby Macca’s on their way home if you have spared no costs when it comes to food stations and grazing tables.
